Summer at Lake Tulloch on agenda

A pair of ordinances that could have long-lasting effects on the summer atmosphere at Tulloch Reservoir and other points in Calaveras County highlight the agenda Tuesday for the Board of Supervisors meeting.

The board will consider adoption of a special events ordinance that will institute a better-defined permitting process for events ranging from controversial “bump parties” at Lake Tulloch Resort to church bazaars.

On the largest scale, that could mean a four- to six-month-long process with public hearings and a $4,764 fee with no guarantee of an “OK” at the end for applications. Those would be required for such events as the “bumps,” a “Wood Whomp Festival” that drew the ire of Mountain Ranch neighbors with 24-hour musical performances, and concerts like the “Furthur Festival,” which kept law enforcement tied up for much of a May 2010 weekend.

For less wide-reaching events, like setting up a parking lot fireworks stand or Christmas tree sales display, a simple over-the-counter $25 permit is prescribed.

Provisions are included for a no-fee administrative use permit to “grandfather” in time-honored traditional events with a history of more than 10 years such as Murphys Irish Day and West Point Lumberjack Days.

Lake Tulloch Resort owner Bernadette Cattaneo said the proposal, when first introduced in August, will not only bring an end to the “bumps,” but would make it impossible for the resort to do business in its current form. Cattaneo said she will likely return to an earlier plan to convert the lakeside property to a drug rehabilitation center.

The county filed suit in September as part of its efforts to bring an end to the bump parties, which it believes are in conflict with the resort’s zoning. That litigation is ongoing in Calaveras County Superior Court.

The board is also expected to officially adopt an ordinance setting up a permit process and conditions for allowing short-term vacation rentals to continue in neighborhoods surrounding Tulloch. It is designed to curb some of the overcrowding and rowdy parties full-time residents have complained of there in recent years. Supervisors approved minor amendments to the proposed ordinance on a 5-0 vote at a Jan. 22 meeting, and a final vote Tuesday will put the ordinance into effect in 30 days.

In other business, the board will consider:

• Approval of a one-year $237,250 contract with BI Correction Services for programs at the soon-to-be-opened Day Reporting Center for Assembly Bill 109-mandated supervised probationers.